Nutrition of cactus for fodder from the use of soil remineralizers in semi-arid region of Bahia

Abstract

This research investigates the effects of the use of stonemeal technology (or crushed rocks)
in an area of polyculture implanted in the quilombola community Lajedão dos Mateus, located
in América Dourada / BA. Treatments were evaluated and the nutrient uptake of the cactus for
fodder specie (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dick) was evaluated. The experimental design
of the area was divided in plots exposed to four types of treatments: (T0 - control, T1 - remineralizer,
T2 - Organic Compound and T3 - Remineralizer + Organic Compound), with four
replications in a randomized fashion. The cladodes were submitted to nutrient determination
(Na, NH3, Mg, Ca, K+, Cl-, NO3- and SO-4) by the analysis of debris. Despite the salinity presented
by irrigation water, the species presented significant results (p≤0.05) for Na, Cl-, NH3,
Ca2+, K+ and F-, especially when compared to the control treatment, indicating that the use of
remineralizers provide an increase in the supply of macro and micronutrients in soil.